The first-ever World Happiness Report, from the Earth Institute, was released Monday in time for the UN’s Conference on Happiness, and it shows that the world’s happiest countries are all in northern Europe -- Denmark, Finland, Norway and the Netherland took up the top four spots, in that order.

Canada came in fifth, well ahead of the United States at eleventh place.

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Happier countries tend to be richer countries. But more important for happiness than income are social factors like the strength of social support, the absence of corruption and the degree of personal freedom.

Over time as living standards have risen, happiness has increased in some countries, but not in others (like for example, the United States). On average, the world has become a little happier in the last 30 years (by 0.14 times the standard deviation of happiness around the world).

Unemployment causes as much unhappiness as bereavement or separation. At work, job security and good relationships do more for job satisfaction than high pay and convenient hours.

Behaving well makes people happier.

Mental health is the biggest single factor affecting happiness in any country. Yet only a quarter of mentally ill people get treatment for their condition in advanced countries and fewer in poorer countries.

Stable family life and enduring marriages are important for the happiness of parents and children.

In advanced countries, women are happier than men, while the position in poorer countries is mixed.

galt:Fortunately our head of state is a moral man who understands the intrinsic value of righteous governance. Indeed we are trapped, while secular Communist ideologies are allowed sway, in mass mediocrity.Only when we embrace our role as stewards in a sancrosanct free market can humanity elevate out of the darkness

Nearly 900 dolphins that washed up along Peru's northern coast since the start of the year died of natural causes, a top official said Tuesday, citing a government report.

Environmental groups, however, remained unconvinced and said they were certain the massive dolphin die-off was linked to offshore oil exploration in the area.

"We have reached the conclusion that the deaths were from natural causes," said Gladys Trevino, Peru's Production Minister, speaking on local radio as she announced the results of a government investigation.

Trevino said the study by the government-run Institute of Peru's Ocean (IMARPE) had ruled out other explanations such as offshore oil exploration or viral or bacterial infections.

"It's not the first time that this has happened," she said, pointing to what she said were similar mass dolphin die-offs in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

Peruvian officials had already suggested that the dolphins, along with some 5,000 dead sea birds -- mostly pelicans -- died due to the effects of rising temperatures in Pacific waters.

The Scientific Organization for the Conservation of Aquatic Animals, known by its Spanish acronym ORCA, has said the dolphin deaths were linked to the noise from oil exploration.

A representative from ORCA said the group earlier this month tested 30 dead dolphins and found broken ears and damaged organs consistent with the victims suffering "the bends," also known as decompression sickness.

“There’s something unique that is happening in Fort Chipewyan,” Stéphane McLachlan, the lead researcher from the university, told a news conference Monday. “It’s a situation that is alarming and demands attention.”http://m.thestar.com/#/article...er_cancer_rates.html